kskarma Loc: Topeka, KS

This was a bracketed shot of 3 (I think...) images to maintain detail in the shady side of this yucca. Photomatix was used to process the HDR. I aligned the sun behine the upper spines to create the 'halo' effect. Shot with a Nikon D-750 mounting a Sigma 17-35mm lens.

(Download)

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Wonderful capture! Great light and outstanding PP.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Like the way you captured this one!
Pat

donziska

Great shot, fills the frame and has detail. I wonder how it would convert to B&W. Thanks. Don Z.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Well done.

courtland43 Loc: Central Florida

Hello all. It'll be obvious in a minute that I'm a newbie here but I just have to ask a question about this pic.
First, let me say I really like this picture. Great composition. If it just had a buzzard flying around somewhere it would be an overnight classic.
Now my question: When I zoomed in on the downloaded image there appears to be a lot of 'ghosts' in the detail. Is that from layering in Photomatrix? Or what? Will that show up in a print? As an old film photographer I would also have bracketed the shot but I would have also tried a fill flash to capture the shadowed detail. Is that a viable option in the digital/post processing era? And finally, what's HDR?

Thanks, Court

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

The composition is very appealing and your HDR work has a natural feel. The ghosting does take away from the overall appearance.

kskarma Loc: Topeka, KS

Yes...I agree about the ghosting....and that was a by-product of the VERY strong winds on this day...it was the one day I had to shoot here, so I made the best of it. Since the yucca was in constant motion, some of the fronds moved between the exposures and this shows up in the image.

As to what is HDR...sorry for using an acronym...but it stands for High Dynamic Range. This is a technique that uses a series of bracketed photos, generally from 3 to 5, although some cameras will bracket up to 9...maybe more. With a full stop of exposure between successive shots, the dynamic range can include..and correctly expose both dark shadows on the photo...as well as bright lights. A church interior is a good example of where this might be most helpful. The resulting images are processed with a variety of Photo Editing software...I use Photomatix, but there are many others, all doing about the same thing....which is combining areas of the different images where the exposure is best....into a final composite image. HDR, like some other techniques can be overdone...but when it's used to solve problems, it can be super useful.

And...on the day in question when I took this photo, I really wanted to do something with the blooming Ocotillo, but with its 15-20 foot slender fronds, there was just no way to get a good shot.

courtland43 Loc: Central Florida

kskarma, Thank you for the excellent explanation. I certainly have some educating to do, self-educating that is. I understand about the problems you faced in that shoot having taken a few hundred film photos in our southwest deserts many years ago. After taking several years away from my photo hobby I'm now trying to jump back in. You've probably just doubled my 'digital' knowledge. Long way to go but it should be fun.
And I still think that is a great shot.
Thanks again,
Court

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

That is a nice catch...love the POV.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

You have done a great job with your HDR rendition and the visual design.
It is an outstanding image.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Great image.

kskarma Loc: Topeka, KS

Court...thanks for your kind words....I don't know if you are aware that this Forum has a section for HDR info and photos...I'm sure you would find anything HDR-related there that you might be interested in....

Stash Loc: South Central Massachusetts

Very nice photo and very nice PP.

vicksart Loc: Novato, CA -earthquake country

Very nice shot. Love the light.